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ATARI BYTES

Remember those great Atari 2600 games? I have fond memories of playing classics like Pitfall or Yar's Revenge or River Raid. In this podcast, I take another look at the games, but as a writer, not a gamer. When I think of these games now, I see writing prompts; taking inspiration from the game plots or maybe even the titles to create original short stories. But this isn't simply fan fiction. The stories, more often than not, spin-off into some weird places in all kinds of genres. Sometimes funny, occasionally serious, always unique.
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Now displaying: September, 2017

Remember those great Atari 2600 games? Sure, they were fun to play, but didn't you ever wonder why they sent a plumber to take out Donkey Kong? What Yar was seeking revenge against? What the Defender was defending or why those robots went Berserk? Me too! ATARI BYTES is a game review podcast like no other. We review not just the game play, but the STORY within these classic games. We take a BYTE out of the story (get it?) and see if that story BYTES us back (now do you get it?).

Sep 24, 2017

This week's episode drops on September 24, which is also the birthdate of Muppet creator Jim Henson (9/24/36 - 5/16/90) and is dedicated to his memory. Doctor Who, Star Wars, Peanuts and Muppets pretty much sum up my childhood preoccupations (with a sprinkle of "Dukes of Hazzard" and "Superfriends" for color)

The game we're playing this week is the 1982 Atari children's title (the last of the line) PIGS IN SPACE, based on the recurring sketch from the 1970's iconic series THE MUPPET SHOW. And really, for one price of admission, you're getting THREE games in one! The crew of the Swinetrek - Captain Link Hogthrob, first mate Miss Piggy, and Dr. Strangepork - are here to save the universe from ridiculousness. Lord knows somebody should. 

It's time to start the music, it's time to light the lights. it's time to get things started on the ol' podcast tonight!

My thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of this songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring".

Atari Bytes show notes and more are available here.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show!

Pick up Atari Bytes shirts, mugs and more in our AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com here.

Support the show financially on Patreon here.

Sep 17, 2017

You barely have time to adjust your athletic supporter before ATARI BYTES episode 86: SUPER CHALLENGE FOOTBALL is thrust upon us. Is this game super and/or a challenge? Discuss. In this week's story, this rag-tag team just needs some 21st century motivation...

The articles we referenced this week: Monopoly in the Park ; Atari Planned to incorporate ColecoVision in 1983

My thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring".

Atari Bytes show notes and so much more here.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown! - Hey! That's my other show!

Pick up Atari Bytes gear in our Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store here.

Support the show at our Patreon page here. 

Sep 10, 2017

Quick! Name every pool/billiards - related movie you can! There's "The Hustler", "The Color of Money", and, uh, there's a great pool scene in "The Cat From Outer Space" (What's that, you ask? The title says it all. Go check it out. Sandy Duncan and Ken Berry at their finest. Trust me.) And, of course, the game of pool reduced River City to a radioactive, rubble-strewn Hellscape in "The Music Man".

So with that pop culture pedigree, we couldn't resist checking out iMagic's 1982 TRICK SHOT this week for the show. Does the game scratch on the break or bank the eight ball to glory? Chalk up your cues and come join us to find out!

Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring". 

Atari Bytes episodes, show notes and much more here!

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show!

Support the show financially at our Patreon page here!

Check out Atari Bytes mugs and shirts here, our AB_Pod_Store at Zazzle.com

And don't forget to like us on Facebook and Instagram and follow us on Twitter @ataribytes

Sep 3, 2017

Classic '80s detective series "Magnum P.I." was supposed to end ****SPOILER HORN FOR THIRTY YEAR OLD SHOW**** with Magnum dying from multiple gunshot wounds, the last shot of the episode being Magnum walking up to the pearly gates with a contented smile on his face. That finale was actually aired. But then CBS convinced Tom Selleck to return to the show and Magnum survived.

What does any of this have to do with this week's game, the 1986 Atari space odyssey SOLARIS? Absolutely nothing. Except for this. SOLARIS was a follow up to STAR RAIDERS that came out in 1986, the dregs of Atari's end of days - it was about as dead as Magnum on that ER exam table - just before the NES really started to stomp all over all other gaming consoles. SOLARIS allowed Atari, instead of dying, to sit up once more and gasp, "I want a pint of stout". Seriously, you need to go find "Magnum, P.I." on Netflix.

Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring".

Atari Bytes show notes and so much more here.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown. Hey, that's my other show! Check it out here!

Consider supporting the show financially on our Patreon page here.

Pick up cool Atari Bytes mugs and shirts and more at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com.

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